The Arabs came
to Morocco from the Middle East to extend both
their power and their religion over the land.
While some Jewish Berber tribes converted, many
Jews refused to give up their religion. Over
time, the majority of Jews moved from rural areas
to Arab-controlled towns and cities, where they
fell under the protection of the Sultans. As
Sultans tried to extend their power over rural
Berber tribes, occasionally the tribes would
attack the cities, using Jews as scapegoats for
their problems. In general, however, Arabs and
Jews developed mutually-supportive roles within
urban society, although they lived clearly in
separate cultural worlds.

Under Islam, Jews were considered dhimmis, a
protected but disdained people. Within certain
limits, Islamic law allows the free exercise of
Judaism and gives Jews the right to practice
their traditions, hold property, govern their
community and enforce their own civil law system.
Under the rules governing dhimmis, Jews
must recognize Islamic sovereignty, show respect
for Islam, exercise their religion discretely,
refrain from proselytizing, pay special taxes and
wear special clothing. These rules were rarely
applied to the letter, although they remained the
law until the French made Morocco a Protectorate
in 1912.

To the Jewish community, the Sultan was its
salvation. By paying heavy taxes, the community
secured its right to practice Judaism and live in
peace. At times, almost 50 percent of government
revenues came from Jews. In some ways, Jews lived
in greater security than Muslims. They had less
danger of individual persecution, although their
neighborhoods were occasionally pillaged. They
also were able to gain access to the authorities
and obtain justice more easily than Muslims.
However, while many Sultans treated Jews with a
great deal of tolerance, Jews often experienced
strong pressure to convert to Islam.

Together, Jews and Muslims rode the cycles of
Moroccan history. Typically, there was a calm
period, characterized by a sense of ease,
security and even prosperity for much of the
population. When a ruler's claim to power was
challenged by competing claimants to the Throne,
the country often would be thrown into chaos,
when no one could live in security. Jews,
however, would be more vulnerable than Muslims to
attacks. Once a new ruler established his
authority, both Jews and Muslims would attempt to
regain their previous living standards. Under
these circumstances, many Jews were reduced to
poverty and could not escape.
Home Page more